A Trip Around Allentown

The other day on a trip around town,  I drove past the current house on 2nd Street where my grandfather first lived when he came to Allentown in 1895.  A couple minutes later,  I drove by my grandparents house that I remember, near Sacred Heart Hospital.  It's the house where my father and his four siblings grew up.  Earlier that morning I was on the south side, where my parents lived when I grew up.  Allentown is a small place, I even drove past a couple of houses that I lived in as an adult.

In the course of writing the political aspect of this blog, I sometimes clash with the millennials and X'ers,  who think that my observations are so historically based that they're no longer relevant.  Perhaps they think that I'm frozen in time,  still eating strawberry pie at the Patio restaurant in Hess's.  It is true that I remember an Allentown very different than the current one,  but I was here and present, for the transition.

Yesterday, we learned that one NIZ baron got $28 million,  out of a total of $29 million, of state tax money toward his portfolio of buildings.  Years ago, there were so many business leaders in Allentown that they had a special club for lunch, named the Livingston.  In today's Allentown, the barons could all met at one table for four, and there would still be empty seats.

photo:  I'm on the front lawn in Little Lehigh Manor, around 1949.  

ABOVE REPRINTED FROM APRIL OF 2016

UPDATE DECEMBER 28, 2020: Since May of 2007, molovinsky on allentown has been writing inconvenient truths about this former All American City.  I provide no favor to any institution or politician, and have become a rather unpopular person in the process. I like to think that those on a quest for historical local truth will find this blog's search engine and archives useful.  In March of 2018,  I started Allentown Chronicles, a facebook group to enhance Allentown centric content on that venue. 

A Snowy Morning In Jerusalem

Snow is a rare occurrence in Jerusalem, but on January 10th (2013) it snowed 6 inches, the biggest storm since 1992.  Although this blog concentrates on local political commentary, I do indulge in a few distractions. Among those are local history, boxing from the Joe Louis era, and stories from the Holy Land.  With all topics, the quality of the visual image presented here is paramount to me.

reprinted from February of 2013

Christmas City

In 1937, Bethlehem was still struggling from the Great Depression. In December of that year, the Star was built on top of the mountain, elaborate street decorations were installed, and the city began calling itself  Christmas City.

Before Netflix

There was a time in our center cities when movie theaters dominated the cultural scene. Few of these old theaters still exist, such as the Boyd in Bethlehem. Allentown had no less than six movie houses, either on or directly off Hamilton Street. Several smaller theaters were scattered in different neighborhoods, such as the Allen and Town. On Hamilton Street itself, the Colonial and Rialto dominated. Both large ornate theaters, with balconies. 

 

The elaborate promotion shown above for the movie Grand Hotel dates back to 1932. I have been unable to identify which theater or city is shown. The photograph was taken by a professional photographer named Harris, who worked out of the Farr Building in Easton.

reprinted from December of 2009

Nagy Novelty Company

In Downtown Allentown's commercial years, stores extended 3 blocks out from Hamilton Street. The only remaining remnant of that era is the parking meters, which apparently haven't noticed that the stores have been gone now for over 30 years. A magic shop mentioned in the previous post was on 9th Street, between Linden and Turner. On 8th Street, also a couple blocks off Hamilton, was the Nagy Novelty Company. The dictionary defines novelty as a small, often cheap, cleverly made article, usually for amusement. The Nagy's had thousands of them, floor to ceiling. There were little jokes and gags, sometimes risque, passed around parties in the 40's and 50's. When you pulled " Miss Lola, The Snappy Bubble Dancer" leg's out, your finger got snapped. 

The Nagy's, an ancient father, son and dog, stayed open till around 1980. I was never sure which one was the son. To me, as an aficionado of the old and curious, the store was a shrine. Items which they sold for a few cents, now sell on ebay for many dollars. They manufactured their own greeting cards. Shown here is the front and inside of an embossed card probably dating back to the 1920's.

reprinted from December of 2008

The Devil Of Ocean Paradise

The resort town's boardwalk is partially open during the cold winter months for the hardy of spirit.  The stores that remain open were purchased mostly by middle eastern immigrants, who overpaid for their piece of the American dream in the dying resort.  Their mortgage demands every nickel they can muster,  and their large families are eager to practice their broken English on the few customers willing to brave the boardwalk's cold winter wind.

All their stores sell the same things...  brightly colored candy, souvenirs and small toys designed to make children nag and beg.  Along with the stores there is a strip of game stands, where during the warm summer breezes,  fathers and boyfriends hope to win a stuffed animal.  During the winter, the steel garage doors are closed on all these stands, except for one.  The immigrants with their broken English cannot lure in players, but the Devil can.

Oversized brightly colored stuffed animals adorn the stand. Music from the 70's pulses from one loud speaker,  while the Devil commands the occasional passing man to "show her that you care by winning a bear."  Please don't misunderstand me, he is not Satan himself, but a minor devil.  He can give you a cold, or ruin a first date,  but he has no power over life and death.  Even those he afflicts can purchase redemption.... Inside the stores there are chocolate wafers for sale,  covered with white candy sprinkles.  For a mere $26 a pound, the bad omen can be eaten away.

This minor devil came from Coney Island a decade ago.  Brooklyn's Brighton Beach area started gentrifying in the late 90's, and the dress up spread to adjoining Coney.  Doc, the minor devil, thrived on hearty spirits, but not heady minds.  His move to Ocean Paradise was a win-win.  While the owning immigrant gets to keep almost all the money the stand takes in,  Doc gets to dispense a headache or two each weekend.  He has a room at a nearby old motel owned by the same family, and enjoys the middle eastern food that he has eaten since time immemorial.

If you walk on the boardwalk during the winter, you better dress warm, and not be tempted to show her that you care.

reprinted from November of 2018

Sledding In Allentown

The photograph shown above is from 1958. It was taken in Little Lehigh Manor, the 1940's era housing development located above Lehigh Parkway's south ridge. I had the pleasure of growing up in that neighborhood. In yesterday's post, the hill favored by the kids of that neighborhood was featured.

Other popular sledding hills were in Allentown's west end,  behind Cedar Crest College, and Ott Street, between Livingston and Greenleaf Streets.  Years ago, a bridge crossed the creek by the park office at 30th and Parkway Blvd., with a parking area for sledders by the Cedar Crest hill. The Ott Street hill was closed to cars by the city, as an accommodation for sledders.  None of these hills are now accessible to a kid with a sled.

photo courtesy of S. Williams

reprinted from previous years

The Winter Of My Discontent

With the forecast of another snowstorm coming Wednesday evening, my memory turns to the winter of 1993-94. I was living on a long corner on Union Street, in Hamilton Park. By this time in 1994, the path from my front door to the sidewalk was like a snow tunnel, with walls over three feet high. The busy intersection had a crossing guard, and it was important that I kept the corner clear, constantly digging through the plow curl from two directions.  The reason I remember that winter wasn't because of my house, but at the time I maintained buildings in center city. My days consisted mostly of salting, chopping and shoveling, one property after another, from one snowstorm after another. Driving my station wagon, filled with 50lb. salt bags, up the alleys was like a kiddie ride at Dorney Park, the ruts would steer the car, no hands were necessary. 

This post is somewhat unusual for me. I have for the most part maintained a privacy wall between my business and my blogging. Tomorrow evening, The Tenant Association of Allentown will complain to City Council about slumlords; I thought that in the interest of balance I would give a glimpse into conscientious landlording. Although the meeting might be cancelled once again because of the snow, Allentown's many good landlords will still be out shoveling the sidewalks.

reprinted from February of 2014

photocredit: Billy Mack

Drag Queens vs Pip The Mouse

This year when parents take their little ones downtown to holiday shop, they can either show them Pip The Mouse or Drag Queen Wigs.

Pip The Mouse is being featured in the window of the former Hamilton Plaza, on the site of the former Hess's Department Store. The current building owners sued the city because the NIZ creates a most unlevel playing field for commercial real estate. 

The Drag Queen show is on the Arts Walk. The Arts Walk links various Reilly/NIZ/Reilly buildings together on the off Hamilton Street venue. Putting art in empty storefront windows is a long time commerical stragedy. Reilly now has taken to putting art galleries in hopelessly empty storerooms. There is another popup gallery on Hamilton Street itself.

The Drag Queen show is being publicized on the Morning Call. It's hard to know which is more real... Pip The Mouse, Drag Queen shows, or parents taking their kids downtown in Allentown?

A Lehigh Parkway Vendetta

Over the years each summer people began to look forward to the wildflower garden,  which surrounded the Stone & Log House in Lehigh Parkway.  In the winter, occasionally someone would joke that the bearded man who lived there should dress like Santa Claus for Lights In The Parkway.

Needless to say, Michael Adams was shocked and upset when he was recently evicted from the house, where he lived for over 10 years.  He felt  assaulted again when the park department completely tore away the flower gardens that he cultivated for over a decade.

He'll be the first to tell you that for a long time he was a Pawlowski supporter.  He was surprised when he first got the eviction order referencing a large amount for unpaid rent.  He had a long standing agreement that in exchange for living there,  he would at his own expense both upgrade and maintain the property. Unfortunately for Michael, that arrangement was never written out.

Much like Pawlowski turning on his former supporter, the changes made to the house's outside by the park department are both startling and stark.

above reprinted from December of 2017

UPDATE DECEMBER OF 2020: Former Mayor Pawlowski is incarcerated in Danbury, Connecticut for corruption. Michael Adams is now cultivating warm weather flora on the Gulf of Mexico. 

$100 A Week

In 1935, a Jewish boy earning $35 a week carrying 300 pound blocks of ice, was offered three times more to fight; win, lose or draw. For one hundred dollars a week, Jock Whitney, British aristocrat and sportsman, owned Abe Simon. Abe won his first 14 fights, 12 by knockout. On his climb to fight Louis in 1941 he would knock out 27 opponents, including Jersey Joe Walcott.
reprinted from December 2012 

This blog has produced numerous posts chronicling the Joe Louis boxing era, many featuring Abe Simon, a Jewish heavyweight of the era; Simon and my mother were cousins. Lately, Allentown political shenanigans have allowed me little time and space to visit Madison Square Garden in the early 1940's. During the next couple of weeks I will reprint some of the Simon posts, while still assigning staff to City Hall. One of my attractions to the boxing world is the black and white photography produced during that era. The public would listen to the fights on the radio, and then see the photographs in the newspapers the following day.  I refer fight fans to December of 2012,  which can be found on the archive list on the right sidebar. 

reprinted from December 2014

Saving The Queen City Airport

When I grew up on Liberator Ave., I would walk up Catalina Ave. toward school, which was at the end of Coronado. The streets were named for the Vultee-Consolidated WW2 planes, and the neighborhood was next to the airport built as part of the war effort. Vultee Street was built to connect the hangers with the Mack 5C plant, which was given over to Vultee-Consolidated for plane part manufacturing. Today this small airport is known as Queen City, and is threatened by Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

1944 was the first full year of the operation for the company's Allentown, Pennsylvania factory. Consolidated Vultee handled over $100M in wartime contracts at their Allentown plant where they produced TBY-2 Sea Wolves, components parts for B-24 Liberator bombers and other essential armaments and products for the war effort.

Pawlowski covets this unique part of our history to expand the tax base. What he doesn't understand is that more housing or commercial space is not in Allentown's best long term interest. Unfortunately, long term interest is not a term understood by our current leadership. There is a whole development of started houses off S. 12th St. and Mack Blvd. which were never completed. There are filled in foundations on 8th Street, also never completed. More housing is the last thing both the real estate market and school system need. Likewise, the existing commercial sector has been struggling to maintain an acceptable occupancy rate. Queen City airport is an unique asset to Allentown. If LVIA does successfully expand, a separate airport for small planes is very desirable for safety. Considering Pawlowski's predetermined objective, I question whether he should have been appointed to the LVIA Board.

above reprinted from 2011

UPDATE DECEMBER 11, 2020: Queen City Airport ended up being retained by LVIA.  Ed Pawlowski was only finally dislodged from Allentown by the federal authorities.  This blog takes pride in having recognized his schemes for what they were, long before the local politicians or press.

Molovinsky And The Morning Call

The article about Hooks Seafood restaurant closing states that this type of failure isn't unusual in an urban renewal area, according to experts. So says the Morning Call.  The article also states that The $6 million renovation of the long-closed Sal's Spaghetti House included a crystal chandelier from Hess's department store.... As you can see from my photograph above, Sal's wasn't renovated. The long closed former spaghetti house was demolished, and a new building was constructed in its place.  Now, I can understand the paper not knowing this, after all, the building is over a quarter block away from the newspaper building.  Assuming that people at the Morning Call read the paper, apparently nobody caught the error, twice. This was the second time in about a week that this misinformation was printed. However, this post is about the important part of the story, not covered by the paper.

The restaurant was built pre-NIZ. Save for a $50,000 city grant, the entire cost was borne by the owner. It happens that the owner and his wife were retired from a very lucrative business, and always wanted to own a high end restaurant. Opened as the Cosmopolitan, it was high end indeed.  When that failed to attract enough well heeled, it was transformed into the more price friendly Hook Seafood. However, with the NIZ and Reilly's hospitality group of eateries, the market was now over-saturated.

The owner of the restaurant when asked about lack of foot traffic downtown stated, "I'm not going to get judgmental or say anything negative." Those are traits that nobody accuses this blogger of having. 

reprinted from March of 2017

UPDATE DECEMBER 10, 2020: Years ago after they built the Cosmopolitan, I asked Joe Clark what he thought about it. He said that he would like to be the second owner.  Although I don't know the results of the auction for the property, I wouldn't be surprised to see his name.  Although I often take the Morning Call to task, we are lucky to still have our newspaper... I have been a subscriber for over fifty years.

photocredit:molovinsky- site of the former Sal's Spaghetti House being prepared for new foundation

The Yarns In Allentown

The yarns in Allentown used to come from the Tucker Yarn Company, formerly on Hamilton Street, now they come from the Morning Call, formerly located at 6th and Linden Streets.  Both the yarn store and the newspaper building are now owned by J.B. Reilly.  As the Tuckers now knit at home,  so do the reporters now write their articles in their homes. 

The latest yarn from the paper is that Reilly's apartments are 99% full, so he must build more. These articles are spoon fed to the hungry reporters,  who do not question the press releases.  I believe that in reality the market for office space has flattened out,  but with the taxpayers picking up the tab, Reilly wants to keep building, anyway.  I believe that if Reilly's apartments had anywhere near the occupancy rate that he claims, downtown wouldn't be such a dead zone at night and during the weekends.

This week a possible main contender for mayor announced his deliberations on a local blog, instead of the newspaper... He implied that the Morning Call has been failing the community.  I know of another developer, J. B. Reilly, who would disagree with that assessment. 

photocredit:Tucker Yarn Company by Molovinsky

Junkyard Train

Today, once again we ride a freight train of Allentown's great industrial past. In the early 1970's, the Redevelopment Authority tore down the neighborhood on either side of the Lehigh Street hill. At that time they had persuaded Conrail to move the the Barber's Quarry Branch line exclusively to the southern side of the Little Lehigh. The branch had crossed over and back to service the great Wire Mill. After crossing Lehigh Street, the train would proceed along the creek passing under the 8th Street Bridge. At the 10th Street crossing it would service another great industrial giant, Traylor Engineering. In 2009 President Obama visited a successor, Allentown Manufacturing, which has since closed. The line would continue along the creek until it turned north along Cedar Creek to Union Terrace. After crossing Hamilton Street by the current Hamilton Family Diner, it would end at the current park department building. Nothing remains of the line, the tracks were removed. The Allentown Economic Development Corporation recently received a grant to rebuild the line to 10th Street, even though the plant Obama visited has closed. The neighboring former Mack Plant now houses a go cart track. How the money will be squandered remains to be seen. The top photograph was taken by local train historian Mark Rabenold in 1989. It shows the later relocated section of the track that was just east of the Lehigh Street crossing.

reprinted from March of 2011

A Reflection On Christmas Lights

When I was a child, when it came to Christmas lights, more seemed better. I recall my father taking us to see a house out on Union Street, beyond Union Terrace, which decorated lawn, house and roof. The home owner continued that tradition for many years, until he became too old to perform that labor of love. 

When I became older and more visual, I found less decorations more tasteful. Not only was I drawn to less, but also older. Over the years my camera would turn to the retro decorations, especially those faded and shopworn. The film elmusion has held up better than my memory...I can only guess where the photo above was taken. 

Today's inflatables are not, in my opinion, camera worthy.

A Bastard Blogger and Christmas Lights In Parkway

As dusk falls, cars start entering Lehigh Parkway to enjoy the annual Christmas light display.  In the darkness they drive past the top of the Double Stairwell, built by the WPA in 1935. It was designed as the signature structure in the park. In daylight they would see that the top landing is breaking up, and the subsequent landings down the double stairs are even in worse condition. These cracked landings allow seeping water to undermine the steps below them,  jeopardizing the entire structure.  I have been reporting these deteriorating conditions to the Park Department for six years. While nothing has been done to rehab this irreplaceable structure, the department is actively seeking grants to build another new park, near the old incinerator plant off Basin Street.

As a long time public critic of the former Pawlowski administration,  his park directors may have dismissed my criticism of park policy as political discontent. However, with the current mayor and park director I have a long time rapport, but to no apparent avail.

When I drive through the park I don't see the pretty lights, but a sad situation. I see crumbling WPA structures. I see neglect and misplaced priorities.

reprinted from December of 2019 

UPDATE DECEMBER 2020: The Park Department did repair the vertical surfaces on the stairwell structure this past summer, but not the landings. Because the landing surfaces are essential to maintain the structural integrity, I will keep up my campaign for such repair.

Vibrant Downtown Living

On Saturday at 2:00pm, on a clear sunny afternoon, I drove down Hamilton Street. Between 10th and 7th Streets there were only four people.  Two of them were not a asset to center city, under any criteria.  The other two were almost at 7th, and carrying bags.  I suspect they may have been shopping at Villa, on 8th and Hamilton.  Although downtown apologists and cheerleaders will say that my report isn't true, unfortunately, it is all too true...especially on Saturdays.

J. B. Reilly's financially attainable apartments in the former Holiday Inn are just the beginning of his entry into the prevailing rental market.  There is no way that he will even attempt for the Strata rents in his new apartments on S. 8th Street, when they are completed.  Although he and the Morning Call refer to center city as vibrant, it is in fact a dead zone.  The paper and cheerleaders on local social media have bragged that these new apartment units are being financed without the NIZ. Actually, the NIZ was never to include residential. Offices and stores on the first floor of these residential buildings does allow Reilly to tap some NIZ benefits. Furthermore, there is no scrutiny of the prorations by the ANIZDA board.  Adrian Shanker,  head of the local gay and lesbian organization, is a recent appointee to the board. He managed to see that the guidelines were changed to include gays with other minority contractors,  that should be hired by the developers.*

When Reilly is done building his new attainable rate apartments,  Allentown may become worse than it is now.  Allentown's problem isn't a lack of affordable housing, but rather a surplus of it. In that sense, Reilly is only contributing to the problem. Likewise, so are the new units in former converted factories.

* I'm not a fan of rewarding contracts based on minority ownership of any kind.  The practice is not merit based, and has been exploited. While this blog does not adhere to political correctness standards, Shanker has introduced some new thinking into the Good Old Boy Club called ANIZDA.  More on that in a future post.

reprinted from July of 2019

UPDATE DECEMBER 3, 2020: The above piece was written pre-pandemic, and the empty streets were not because of the virus.

Over time I have mellowed in my criticism of the NIZ.  For better or worse, it is the new Allentown. However,  that attitude shift doesn't mean my scrutiny of the program or its components will cease... For example, the consequences of the aforementioned residential aspect.  

The biggest irony in the Lehigh Valley is the Morning Call...While we still do have a local paper,  it has enabled corruption, deception and misinformation.

Molovinsky Christmas Tour

Yesterday I posted about Bill White's recommended Christmas Light tours.  I hope that caravans of  new SUV's are taking White's tours, because he publishes his recommendations every year.  Bill, after all these years,  has his job down almost on autopilot;  Christmas light tours,  Eating his way through Musikfest,  Cake contest at fair, Grammar columns,  Hall of Shame, Worst sentence writer. etc., etc.

Anyway, I recommend that nobody take my light tour,  it's in the hood in center city Allentown. Actually, the block shown has had its share of crime in recent years. The alley is narrow,  so there is no passing another car.  The double parkers get very annoyed if you beep your horn.  Best to stick with White's tours out in suburbia, with the inflated decorations that are flaccid during the day.  Personally,  I prefer the center city house decorations.  There is something so much more inspiring about decorating a low income house, many of which are rentals.  It makes me feel better and more hopeful about downtown.

reprinted from December of 2017

WPA, A Work In Progress

On Labor Day in 2011, The Morning Call ran a story about my efforts in regard to the neglected WPA structures, and announced my upcoming meeting at the Allentown Library. Among those in attendance at that meeting was Karen El-Chaar, director of Friends Of The Allentown Parks. Later that year, I took El-Chaar on a tour of the WPA structures throughout the park system. In 2013, I conducted my first tour of the WPA in Lehigh Parkway, in conjunction with Friends Of The Parks. This year, El-Chaar successfully secured a grant from The Trexler Trust, which is currently being used to restore the steps at Fountain Park. The grant is being supervised by Lindsay Taylor, Allentown Park Director. The work is being done by Dietrich Stonemasonry, and managed by parks supervisor, Rick Holtzman.

Although much work remains to be done, it's my sense that all the decision makers mentioned above, are developing a greater appreciation of the unique gift that the WPA bestowed upon the Allentown park system.  I'm hoping that both that interest and work continues this coming spring and summer, especially in preserving the remaining portion of the wall in Lehigh Parkway.

reprinted from October of 2015


molovinsky on allentown is published weekdays Monday thru Friday.  Comments are accepted using your name or by establishing a pseudonym. Pseudonym identities remain unknown to both myself and other readers. Your readership is appreciated.

UPDATE DECEMBER 1, 2020: Karen El-Chaar is now director of parks. Because she has an appreciation of the WPA, it is my hope that the next mayor has the insight to retain her in that position. Work finally began on the double stairway in Lehigh Parkway.  While the vertical surfaces have been restored, the flat landings at the top and on the stair landings remain to be done.  

Allentown's Historic Syrian Community

When my grandfather first arrived in Allentown he lived in the Ward, on 2nd. Street. It was around 1895 and the neighborhood was full of immigrants. Some groups came from the same area in the old country, most noticeably the Syrians, from the village of Amar*. They were Antiochian Orthodox, a minority in a Muslim country. The congregation of St. George's Church on Catasauqua Ave., largely is descended from those immigrants. Well known names in Allentown, such as Atiyeh, Haddad, Hanna, Makoul, Koury and Joseph are among their members. They were among one of the first groups to organize, and those organizations still exist. The photo above was organized by the Syrian American Organization in 1944. Note that Jewish, on the left, is treated as a nationality.

* hopefully my Syrian friends will correct any historical errors I have made.

click on photo to enlarge

UPDATE: The above post is reprinted from March of 2010. I have repeated the post several times since over the years, and have written other posts concerning Allentown's historic Syrian Community as well. Although I didn't grow up in the Ward, I grew up with their children, who had by then also lived in other sections of town. Throughout the 1950's and 60's, the organized Syrian community wielded considerable strength in local Democratic politics. I assure you that Pawlowski went hat in hand to their leadership even in 2005. This week at least a portion of the community came to City Council, hat in hand; Pawlowski had denied their request for a Syrian Flag ceremony at City Hall. The Syrian political influence in Allentown has been somewhat weakened by a large migration of that community to Whitehall. I will also concede on Pawlowski's part that the current politics of Syria is indeed very complicated. That reality aside, the large local Syrian community deserves some public recognition of its historic role and roots.  (UPDATE from 2015)

Morning Call Still Promoting For Reilly

On Friday, the Morning Call ran a special on Hess's. I could tell that the reporter actually never experienced the store, but I neither fault him or the paper for that. There are few places to find historical perspective on Allentown anymore,  this blog being one of them. But, what I do fault the paper for is the following line; Today, Allentown is undergoing a transformation that has brought an arena and high-end businesses and restaurants to the area dominated by Hess's.

Allentown becoming a dining destination is wishful thinking.  Allentown again becoming a high end shopping district is delusional.   Sage and the Moravian Bookstore were induced by J.B. Reilly to open here with irresistibly cheap rent, they were not attracted by any success of the area.  Furthermore,  after the failure of Shula's, it diminishes the paper's credibility to continue the Reilly NIZ myth.

At some point, after it was apparent to others, the paper starting portraying the disgraced city government for what it is.  At what point will the paper realize that the arena zone is a taxpayer funded, privately owned bonanza,  for just a few people.

reprinted from January of 2016 

UPDATE NOVEMBER 27, 2020: Since the above was written nearly four years ago,  both Sage and the Moravian Bookstore are gone.  While the former mercantile district may be able to survive as a dining destination after the pandemic, its shopping days are clearly over. Dining's survival will depend on the Parking Authority,  no meal is worth an overpriced parking ticket.  

Allentown's Fading Memories

I have written recently that the market for Allentown memorabilia was closing fast. With so many new comers to the area, and the graying of the old timers, those interested in acquiring such objects are far and few between. Nostalgia is a different story. The internet allows former Allentonians to remember the good old days. In Allentown's case, many feel that the expression is unfortunately very true. Shown above is the first mayor for life, Joe Daddona, with Willie Restum. Willie was a nationally known sax player, who never forgot his Allentown roots in the Syrian 6th ward. Adding to this blast from the past, is Willie wearing the Allentown All American City tee-shirt. This post was for the subset, born in Allentown before 1960.

reprinted from November of 2013

The Lehigh Valley Railroad

The Lehigh Valley Railroad began as an carrier of anthracite coal in 1846. At it's peak, it stretched from the docks of New York harbor to Lake Erie. Although mostly a freight carrier serving the hearths of Bethlehem Steel, it operated a well known passenger line from New York City to Buffalo, The Black Diamond. As a child in the 1950's, I would sit in the car with my father waiting for the long freight trains to cross Union Street. A train watch tower stood over the busy crossing. By 1976, remnants of the railroad were absorbed by Conrail. Shown above, from the late 1930's, is the streamlined engine of the Black Diamond.

UPDATE: The track previously running along Allentown's new  riverfront development was the "Old" main line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.

reprinted from 2011

Mayoral Madness In Allentown

So far, four of the seven city council members have declared their candidacy for mayor, or consideration there of.  If that field isn't large enough, two development officials are also in the mix.  In addition to these six,  a developer and former candidate is weighing his options.  What these seven aspirants have in common is that they're all Democrats. 

While Allentown is a Democratic city with its majority registration,  only one Republican has expressed interest.  Considering that only one of the seven Democrats would end up on the ballot, becoming a Republican of convenience may not be a bad strategy for this upcoming election.

While I have dug out this old tee-shirt to pose in the picture shown, I stand alone as not a candidate for mayor.

The Trains Of Allentown

As a blogger, at the moment, I need a rest from those bureaucracies which I find so exasperating, and perhaps visa versa. I suppose it would be a good time to stop and reminisce some more about trains, both model and real. Shown above was the real deal when the 0 gauge was king. Before I go too far, let me state that growing up I never had a train. For a few years I had a friend whose father, looking back, was rather obsessed with the hobby. He had the transformer shown. It was 275 watts, and could operate four trains and an assortment of accessories. For many years, Bloch's Hobby Store, in the 400 block of 7th Street, was a model train expert. Trains were also sold at Pollard's Firestone Tire Store, also on 7th Street.

I've presented a number of Barber Quarry branch line photographs in previous posts. The one below shows the siding at the former Traylor Engineering Plant on S. 10th Street, now owned by the AEDC. About 20 years ago the track was removed for the entire  length of the former rail line.
  photogragh by Mark Rabenold, 1987

reprinted from 2013

When Neon Was King

During the glory days of Hamilton Street, when it came to neon, bigger was better. No store had a bigger sign than Hess's, and that was appropriate. When the city planners decided to built the canopy, that was the end of the great neon age for Allentown. That structure bisected the building's facades, and the vertical signs had to go. Since then we have progressed into sign regulations. Shopping is not a primary part of the new Hamilton Street transformation. Let's move this discussion around the corner to Allentown's new Hispanic shopping district on 7th Street. Hispanic Shopping District is my designation, not the city's. I call it that, because that's what it is. The street is being managed by Peter Lewnes, who is doing a good job. He's giving facade grants and sign guidance. The buildings end up with a historic look, and a very professional  sign. Although it's neat, clean and presentable, it's not too exciting. Of course the City Fathers don't want too much excitement, as the people from Catasauqua drive in to the new arena. These new subsidized merchants are on a short leash. City inspectors remind them that besides for OPEN signs, no neon is permitted, and it must be inside the store. Now I know that I'm not a paid consultant,  and there's no grant involved with this idea, but how about letting our new merchants put up some neon?How about letting them pursue the same dreams as the merchants once did on Hamilton Street. How about lengthening that leash?

above reprinted from 2014

Christmas Past In Allentown

For over a century, before Allentown was a hole charging your credit card for tickets to a yet to be built hockey arena, it was a holiday destination. Shoppers from near and far would flock to Hamilton Street, where merchants fulfilled their every expectation. This post chronicles the golden era of that street. By the early 1950's, our major department stores were operated by the second generation owners. Max Hess Jr. become a merchandizer of national reputation. His store windows presented displays as sophisticated as any major city. One holiday novelty exists to this day, Pip The Mouse, and can be seen at Zion Church. The fourth floor toy department had eye popping, life sized, automated stuffed animals from Germany. Needless to say, Santa Claus was on duty at Hess's. Families had their favorite department store. While my mother patronized Hess's, others were loyal to Leh's and Zollingers. Although I'm sure that their Christmas displays were also top notch, I have no personal memories. While we now charge citizens to drive through a park with lights, downtowns used to compete with attractive displays. Allentown was famous for the Bell Lights on our iconic light posts, which would rock back and forth, as if ringing. Although times have changed, this blog will remind those few who remember.

artwork by Karoline Schaub-Peeler 

reprinted from December of 2012

No More Strawberry Pie At Hess's

Some of you may have heard that this holiday season Pip The Mouse is returning for a limited engagement to the northeast  corner of 9th and Hamilton, former location of Hess's.  Using my molovinsky on allentown press pass, I stopped by for Pip's rehearsal.  

Like all of us, Pip has aged over the years, both physically and mentally.  I introduced myself and assured him that I was a native Allentonian.  He looked at me in distress and asked, 

Where the hell am I?

I explained to him that he was at the former location of Hess's, brought here by the new out of town building owners.  He had walked down Hamilton Street earlier, and recognized very little. Like all of us his age, not seeing anything familiar can be disconcerting. When he introduced himself, nobody on the street had ever heard of him.  He explained that perhaps when they were little, their mothers brought them to the Hess's window to watch his show?  Nobody he met was born in Allentown, or even knew what Hess's was... He thought perhaps he was going crazy.  He looked at me with his scared old mouse eyes, and asked, 

Why did these new owners come to the retirement home to take me out to this? Do they hate me, I had such fond memories of Allentown.

I explained that they're just desperately trying to compete with the NIZ. He said that it was all too much for him to understand, and if I would kindly drive him back to Mouse Haven Manor?  

Lehigh Valley Old Main Line

The last portions of the Old Main Line were recently removed from Jaindl's NIZ waterfront parcel. Save for this blogger, not a peep from anybody else in protest. On the contrary, the track removal was spun as a positive, with notions that it would become part of the rail to trail network.

Shown in the photo above, the Old Main crosses Hamilton Street. There was a siding for the large white warehouse on the far right side of the photo. The line had numerous sidings, serving companies both along the river and on Front Street. For A&B Meats, the siding went into the plant.

Just south of Union Street there was a freight terminal and small yard. Although the old iron trestle bridge still spans the Lehigh north of American Parkway, only little scattered sections of rail remain on the west side of the Lehigh River.

ADDENDUM: My pieces on local history are not taken from Wikipedia and other sources, but rather from my experiences growing up in Allentown.  My father's family operated a small meat packing operation on Union Street. Included in the parcel was a garage on Walnut Street, and the white warehouse shown above on Hamilton.  I spent many hours waiting for the trains to cross Union Street.

reprinted from previous post

Allentown's First Waterfront

Although cheerleaders for the current waterfront NIZ think that they're inventing the Lehigh River, Allentonians already had a river port in the 1800's. As this section of the 1899 map shows, Wharf Street, which is still partially there, led to a man made river port, with two channels back to the river. The Lehigh Port was dug out in 1829, and was used in conjunction with the canal on the other side of the river. In the early 20th century, as the canal commerce was replaced by the railroads,  the port was filled in,  by an expanding Arbogast & Bastian Meat Packing.  Currently, a private boat club utilizes the river front near that location.  I exhibited the map at a recent session held for those interested in Allentown history.

The river port was slightly north of the current America On Wheels Museum, by the Hamilton Street Bridge, going over the Lehigh River to East Allentown.

reprinted from April of 2016

General Trexler's Bridge

The 8th Street Bridge is one of the marvels of Allentown.  It was built to facilitate the Liberty Trolley run, from 8th and Hamilton to Philadelphia.  I posted about it before, with its impressive statistics. At the time it was the largest concrete bridge in the world.  It involved two business interests of Harry Trexler,  both the transit company and the local cement industry.

Harrisburg and The Morning Call have been braying about the bridges scheduled for improvement and replacement in the area.  Although, I virtually stopped attending municipal meetings,  I still partake in field trips to the local construction sites.  I don't announce myself, and try to be quick and quiet on these unauthorized inspections.  I would prefer not to vanish like Jimmy Hoffa.  I want to inspect the bridge, not end up in the bridge.

On first glance the work on the bridge looks very impressive. The bridge walls have been replaced with new concrete walls, almost identical to the original, even including the lighting pillars. My question is that the roadbed has been raised about 18 inches, but is still supported by the same arches. Eighteen inches of additional concrete on the roadbed and sidewalk is an enormous additional weight load. Furthermore, I have learned that there was bonding issues between the older base and new concrete. Only the approaches, on both ends of the bridge, have been replaced.  This was done because they are the lowest part of the bridge, and the most feasible parts to replace.  However, they were replaced with pre-stressed concrete beams, and the new arches are only decorative panels.  The original approach bases were massive constructions, which probably would have stood another 1000 years.

Only now is the part of the project which I knew to be necessary beginning.  The massive bridge arches has been showing spalling damage over the last decades.  That is the process where old concrete lets loose from the steel re-bar used as the construction frame.

When the project is completed, I do not expect to be invited to the ribbon cutting. 

reprinted from July of 2016

Allentown's Planning Puppies

The Morning Call article says that City Planning Commission had some concerns that the waterfront portion of the NIZ might have a negative impact on traffic, but the plans were passed, and the project will proceed on to the next hurdle. That hurdle is if City Council will agree to sell the developers (Mark Jaindl) a piece of land needed as an entrance road. What suspense! What hurdles! What should concern the planning puppies is the old LVRR line still in place, after all these years. This is a true historic treasure of Allentown, and should be retained, perhaps for a future tour train. Shown above was the private engine of Structural Steel, which is the primary location of the proposed new development. At one time the former industrial giant called Allentown, had several fabricators that required their own engines to push material around their plants.

photo from the Mark Rabenold Collection

reprinted from July of 2013

UPDATE NOVEMBER 12, 2020: The above is reprinted from July of 2013. Approval for the waterfront NIZ is a long done deal.  The LVRR Old Main has been removed, along with private tracks within the former Structural Steel. The Jaindl Company has announced that construction will begin on the first waterfront office building.

Allentown Forsakes Its History

Once again the plan of a developer is being promoted as progress in the destruction of our history. Waterfront developer Mark Jaindl is going to rip out the LVRR Old Main Line, and give the yuppies another trail for their spandex clad bicycling. He has Whitehall, Allentown and the local planning rubber stamps on board. None of them have a clue about this historic rail line along the west side of the Lehigh River. It is simply the link to the success of Allentown, and in many ways the valley, state and country. I have no plans or allusion about stopping it. I will not be speaking to any more boards and commissions of deaf ears and blind eyes. They are even calling it a Memorial Trail for 9/11. A more enlightened community would preserve the historic track, for a future tourist train ride of our industrial past. Instead, here in the valley we destroy our history, and replace it with a sign. This blog will present photographs of the line and its place in our history, for the edification of those who care.

Heat Exchanger by Air Products sided at Lehigh Structural Steel, on Lehigh Valley Railroad Old Main near the Tilghman Street Bridge

above reprinted from February of 2015

UPDATE JUNE 11, 2019: The historic rail line documented above has been removed. It was serving the last active rail customer in Allentown.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 11, 2020: Jaindl Company has announced that construction of the first office building in the waterfront NIZ zone will begin. 

Shootings In Allentown

Over the weekend there was another shooting in Allentown. Funny thing about these shootings, in most of the cases, nobody knows nothing. Nobody hears, sees or says anything to help the police solve these crimes. However, let someone get pushed down by a police officer, then we have videos and testimony against police brutality.

The recent shooting was on 4th Street, but don't expect to see any advocacy groups protesting the violence, or the public's lack of cooperation.

molovinsky on allentown is published weekdays Monday thru Friday.  You will find a perspective and candor here not found anywhere else in the valley. Comments are accepted using your name or by establishing a pseudonym. Pseudonym identities remain unknown to both myself and other readers. Your readership is appreciated. 

reprinted from September of 2018

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2020: Although the above post is over two years old, in regard to this past weekend's shooting, it could be a new post.  Once again, the advocates against police brutality, who have been louder than ever in this past summer, are silent about the shootings this weekend. Some of these advocates have been hyped as leaders by the Morning Call, and now are candidates for mayor. 

Reflections On The Election

To me, politics has always been local.  The Scheller/Wild contest certainly mirrored this election, with  early, in person returns being red, and later, tabulated mail-ins being blue.

I was somewhat perplexed and disappointed by Wild's endorsement of Enid Santiago's write-in campaign in the 22nd. There was no basis to Santiago's charges against the primary results. Three separate inquiries failed to turn up one vote that was changed or repressed. Peter Schweyer was the party's legitimate candidate. Santiago was attempting to redo her primary loss,  first in court, and then by write-in.  Other than Santiago being a minority woman popular in the Hispanic community, there was no apparent reason for Wild to become involved.  If Wild wanted to be so woke, she should have been sensitive to Everett/Erica Bickford, who was viciously thrown under the bus in the process. It was conclusively proven that no voter's intention was changed by his/her actions.  

I have always given Wild credit for her availability and access to the community, and I'm comfortable enough with her continuing to represent the Lehigh Valley.  

Likewise, I have no distress about Biden having won.  As a proponent of independents and third parties, my vote, on principle, went to Jo Jorgensen,  although that ticket certainly didn't have the gravitas of Johnson/Weld in 2016.  I credit Trump with some historic accomplishments in foreign policy and trade.

I again want to applaud the Pa. state house for doing away with the mindless straight party voting option this year. 

In his recent speech, Biden wished healing for the country...That would be a good thing, that certainly is now needed.

photocredit:Brown and White/Lehigh

Grammes Metal Stamping

As a local historian, one place on my to do list has been L.F. Grammes & Sons Metal Stamping.  I've always been waiting for a photograph of the large plant from the Union Street prospective. The front of the plant angled to conform to the turning road, as it approached the Jordan Creek. Recently, I did see a photo card from the Jordan Creek side of the plant, facing north.

Grammes made a large assortment of metal objects, both utilitarian and decorative, for almost a hundred years. They were mostly stamped out of metal, and many were then enameled.  

In addition to decorative items such as small boxes, and their made to order items, such as badges, they also produced items promoting their business. Shown above is a promotional small measuring scoop.  

ADDENDUM: This post is replicated on Allentown Chronicles where additional Grammes photos will be on display.

Big Rock On South Mountain

This past summer,  I walked in off the E. Rock Road to visit Big Rock, on the crest of South Mountain, east of S. 4th Street, or old Rt. 309.  The rock formation, aka Bauer Rock, is covered in graffiti, and the path to it is neglected.  While designated a 77 acre county park, the administration is obviously more concerned with its tenants,  two communication companies taking advantage of the location for their transmission towers, than it is with safe access for the citizens.  It was my intention to investigate the leases, as to their return and value to the taxpayers. There have been decisions made by previous administrations, which I believe were not in the best interests of the citizens.   While I have yet to work on that self assignment, recently I came across this old card.

In 1910, a German company produced a line of postcards featuring what they considered interesting visuals of this area, in the period.  I do not know how popular the cards were at the time, but I certainly find them interesting now, 110 years later.

Back To The Future With Emma

Although the Progressives, who campaigned against the waste to energy plant and the water lease this year, didn't like Emma Tropiano back in the day, or now, here's a history lesson they may find interesting. Shown above is Emma camping out by the entrance to Kline's Island on October 13, 1989. Her statement to the press. "The deal with the Lehigh County Authority to open Kline's Island to outside sewage sources has promoted massive development in western Lehigh County, drawing potential commercial and industrial development away from Allentown and resulting in higher taxes for city property owners." She was running against The First Mayor For Life Joe Daddona's fourth term. His reply. "It's obvious once again that Emma, because of her lack of knowledge and understanding of a problem, is shooting from the hip and hitting herself in the foot." She was also outspoken about the direction the city was heading in: Is Allentown in an ugly decline, with drugs, crime, filth and mismanagement rotting away the core of the Queen City, as challenger Emma D. Tropiano insists? Or is it squarely facing its problems and coming up with sound, creative solutions, as Mayor Joseph S. Daddona says?" The Morning Call, Nov. 5, 1989.

reprinted from November of 2013

ADDENDUM: On Tuesday Bill White repeated his quote about Emma from 2001; I like Emma, but she wouldn't know fresh ideas and positive leadership if they were driving down Hamilton Street in a blue Cadillac. Bill has made Emma one of the symbols of his Hall Of Shame. Bill White protests against this designation, coined by yours truly years ago, and cites the philanthropic Cipko Brothers as proof that the Hall isn't limited to shame. However, I remember back when, and the gag about them was their ridiculous toupees, which White featured in photographs. Philanthropic or not, their toupees put them in the Hall, not their charity. Anyway, I digress. Bill White has been wrong about Emma for over 40 years.  The problem is that now a whole generation of people disparage her, based on  Morning Call distortions.

reprinted from May of 2017

A Thank You For Your Consideration

Today winds up about the most contentious election in memory.  Voters are certainly energized, both for and against Trump.  In this sort of environment, the coattails will likely affect the local congressional election. I'm hoping that by the time voters consider their choices for State Representative, their partisanship will turn to their own best interests.

For their own best interest, my candidacy offers unique advantages.  I've been preoccupied with local issues and needs for decades, ready to make informed decisions from day one.  I have no interest besides the best service for local constituents.  I'm an independent, free from any party platforms or constraints. I'm not looking for a political career or a pension,  just the opportunity to bring you more value from Harrisburg. 

My name is not printed on the ballot, you must write-in Michael Molovinsky for State Representative in the 183rd District.  Thank you for your consideration.

A Write-In Campaign During A Mail-In Election

While this blog is normally published each weekday,  I started my pre-election wrap up posting yesterday. So this week, Sunday is the new Monday.  Since the post pertained to my write-in candidacy, and so many ballots are being cast by mail, I thought it better to speak out sooner than later. 

The post pertained to my issues with the Morning Call.  While my issue is my candidacy not having any mention,  your issue is the paper protecting various local sacred cows.  It is in this type of atmosphere  that corruption thrives. 

Right now the paper is headed by an in-house editor by default, who is out of his league. Hopefully, the Tribune will decide to send in a professional, or better yet, the paper will change ownership.

The Morning Call's Steep Price

On Saturday, the Morning Call featured a story about Enid Santiago's challenge to the primary election, mentioned that she is now a write-in candidate, and linked to the voter's guide they published the day before. The paper's pre-election coverage now included every candidacy, except mine.

Ironically, the article documented that there was no basis for Santiago's charges alleging ballot irregularities.  The newspaper cheerfully cooperated with her to gain maximum publicity for a write-in campaign, after losing a primary election. 

I have paid a steep price for scrutinizing local government, and calling out the newspaper for not doing the same.  However,  my activism, and subsequently this blog, wasn't motivated because all was well in the Lehigh Valley.  Between ineptitude and corruption, watchmen are always needed.  The Morning Call went from good old boy local ownership, to outside corporate indifference, with neither entity motivated to upset the local status quo. 

Years ago a critic such as myself was limited to an occasional letter to the editor, or a soapbox on the corner. Things have changed with the internet. Myself and other bloggers can present information previously kept from the public.  Somebody researching former Mayor Pawlowski will find questions about his integrity here on this blog, more than a decade before the Morning Call broached the topic.  On many other topics, such as the Parking Authority and the NIZ, which I have scrutinized,  the paper has yet to take its head out of the sand.  

In regard to the NIZ,  this blog documented that the city, through straw buyers, was using strong arm tactics to dislodge the former merchants of the arena block.  The Morning Call was not only compliant, but complicit in that scheme.  They were the only private entity included in the NIZ map, on the north side of Linden Street. 

Although my criticism of the paper has cost me any coverage in regard to my campaign for Harrisburg, it's a price I'd rather pay, than joining their endorsement of status quo mediocrity in our community.

The Morning Call Excludes Molovinsky

Today, the Morning Call published their guide to the state house election, but forgot to mention one of their critics, yours truly. Voters in the 183rd District are told, with accompanying photographs, that they only have two choices for their state representative. 

I've been at war with the editor/publisher, Mike Miorelli, over his repression of the news...Mainly that South Whitehall is attempting to subvert the Wehr's Dam referendum. 

While the paper sponsors an election poll with Muhlenberg College, they actively repress democracy. 

While the guide is attributed to staff, I feel bad for the reporters, who know that their journalism and careers are being compromised by inept leadership.

ADDENDUM OCTOBER 31, 2020: Today, the Morning Call features a story about Enid Santiago's challenge to the primary election, mentions that she is now a write-in candidate, and links to the voter's guide referenced above.  The paper's pre-election coverage now includes every candidacy except mine. 

The Mohican Markets

Once, before the malls, there were three thriving cities in the Lehigh Valley, and some merchants would have a store in each of the downtowns. Some of the buildings still exist, and have been reused; The Allentown Farr (shoe) Building is now loft apartments. Two of three Mohican Market buildings, famous for baked goods, no longer exist. The Easton location, on S. 4th St., was victim to fire. The Allentown store became a bingo hall and then a parking lot.  Butz's newest office building now occupies the space.

The Mohican Markets were owned and operated by Bernard Molovinsky, who purchased the three Lehigh Valley stores from a small chain located in New York and Pennsylvania.

revised and reprinted from September of 2007

Send Your Message Down Ballot

Although Voter Registration is in the basement of Lehigh County Government Center, yesterday the line stretched out the first floor building entrance and up 7th Street, toward Center Square.  

The Election Office reports that most of the new registrants are Democrats.  While news reports speculate on a 70% turnout, including mail-in votes,  I expect it to be higher.  I know that 100% of those standing in that line yesterday will vote.

I've never seen a more polarized, energized electorate.  As  an independent write-in candidate, it is my hope that voters will refrain from straight ticket voting. While I know that the inclination is to send a message,  I'm hoping that at the bottom of the ballot,  I will be their message in the 183rd State House District.

While I have no connection to the Biden/Trump contest,  I'm well connected to the issues facing citizens of the Lehigh Valley. While I have no connection to either the Democratic or Republican Party, my commitment to better government has spanned decades of involvement. 

Write-In Michael Molovinsky